Military card game

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a game for at least one player that includes a set of skill cards, each of which represent a particular skill. A set of mission cards, each representing a particular mission, may also be included. The game further includes an administration means that awards promotion points to each player in accordance to the player&#39;s set of obtained skill cards, completed games that each player plays, games won by the player, other completed activities, missions completed based on the mission cards, and playing time. The game is ongoing, with players achieving higher and higher ranks as they are awarded promotion points.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHTS AND TRADE DRESS

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. This patent document may showand/or describe matter which is or may become trade dress of the owner.The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by any one of the patent disclosure as it appears in thePatent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwisereserves all copyright and trade dress rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to games, and more particularly to a militarycard game.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Military simulation games, and particularly those utilizing tradingcards, are known in the art. For example, the following US patents, andUS patent Applications, teach such games:

Pub. Number Pub. Date Inventor   744,502 Nov. 17, 1903 Delamere1,043,383 Nov. 5, 1912 Adams 1,117,316 Nov. 17, 1914 Booton 1,287,317Dec. 10, 1918 Hopkins 1,293,183 Feb. 4, 1919 Peckham 1,342,520 Jun. 8,1920 Wright 1,355,782 Oct. 12, 1920 Roy 1,357,166 Oct. 26, 1920 Hart1,631,009 May 31, 1927 Clark 5,435,568 Jul. 25, 1995 Black 6,209,873Apr. 3, 2001 DeGeorge 6,254,099 Jul. 3, 2001 Pederson 6,561,513 May 13,2003 DeGeorge 6,601,851 Aug. 5, 2003 Sakamoto et al. 7,144,013 Dec. 5,2006 Tanaka 7,258,343 Aug. 21, 2007 Hayakawa et al. 7,392,986 Jul. 1,2008 Gress 2003/0062679 Apr. 3, 2003 Chang 2006/0033278 Feb. 16, 2006Conde

Such games typically involve players battling against each other, theoutcomes of any particular battle being at least somewhat dependent uponthe types, ranks, or values of the cards each player has. However, whilesuch games may to some degree simulate military battle situations, noneof these card games simulate a person's career in the military, hisadvancement through completion of missions and activities from a lowentry-level rank to higher ranks such as general.

With the advent of portable electronics and the Internet, several priorart trading card games have added an electronically-administered elementto their method of play. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,973 to Satloffet al. on Feb. 10, 2004 teaches a system for using trading cardsinteractively through the Internet, as does US Patent Application2008/0227512 to Lang on Sep. 18, 2008 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,666 toMero et al. on Sep. 22, 1998. All such implementations, however, requireeach trading card to have a unique identification indicia printedthereon, which requires a master database of all such uniqueidentification indicia.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,442,108 to Ganz on Sep. 16, 2008 teaches an onlineenvironment that includes games and activities for a collection ofvirtual pets, each represented by an actual pet and a unique numericcode. Here, too, each pet (analogous to a trading card) requires aunique numeric code and, as such, the system requires a master databaseof all such unique identification indicia.

Therefore, there is a need for a game that simulates an ongoingadvancement of the players based on points earned by obtaining tradingcards, completing games, activities, and missions. Such a needed gamecould be played individually or with others, and could be administeredon paper, with an electronic device, or over the Internet with acomputer-based system. Such a needed invention would not require eachtrading card to have a unique indicia number, making the printing anddistribution of such cards relatively easy, although the neededinvention certainly could include a unique indicia number to facilitatemaintaining accurate records of trades between players if desired. Thepresent invention accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present device is a game for at least one player. The game includesa set of trading cards, such as skill cards, each of which represent aparticular skill, such as a military skill, and each of which are wortha predetermined number of promotion points. The game may further includea set of mission cards, each representing a particular mission, such asa military mission, capable of being completed to varying degrees basedon each player's set of skill cards.

The game further includes an administration means that is capable ofmaintaining a registry of skill cards obtained by each player;maintaining a tally of earned promotion points of each player;administering at least one game to each player, each completed gameresulting in a player score worth a predetermined number of promotionpoints; administering at least one activity to each player, eachcompleted activity resulting in a player score worth a predeterminednumber of promotion points; adding each player's promotion points earnedby completing a game or an activity to the player's tally of earnedpromotion points; and determining a rank of each player based on thetally of earned promotion points of the player.

In one embodiment of the invention, the administration means includes aninternet-based computer system that comprises at least a web server, adatabase, and a control program. In another embodiment of the inventionthe administration means includes an electronic-based device comprisinga user interface, a database, and a control program. In yet anotherembodiment of the invention the administration means includes a workbookthat includes at least one player registry page for receiving theplayer's name, the tally of earned promotion points, the registry ofobtained skill cards, and rank. In such an embodiment, the workbookfurther includes a plurality of game pages each for administering one ofthe games, and a plurality of activity pages each for administering oneof the activities.

In use, the skill cards are distributed to a plurality of players suchas by selling the cards in retail outlets, for example. Theadministration means, in whatever embodiment is used, receivesinformation about each player, such as their name and their list ofobtained skill cards. A predetermined number of promotion points isawarded to each player for each skill card obtained thereby, and theassociated rank of the player is determined based on the tally of thepromotion points of each player. As a player adds skill cards to hiscollection, such as through purchase or trading with other players, forexample, the administration means is used to maintain the registry ofall obtained skill cards.

The administration means awards promotion points to each player inaccordance to the player's set of obtained skill cards, games scores,completed games, games won by the player, completed activities, andplaying time. In embodiments of the invention that include the missioncards, the administration means may further award promotion points toeach player for completing each mission thereon, based on each player'sset of skill cards. In a multi-player activity, a mission card may beselected, and each player selects one of his skill cards mostappropriate for completing the mission. The player having the skill thatbest completes the mission wins. The players may decide before playingsuch an activity if the winning player is entitled to keep each otherplayer's non-winning skill card(s) and the played mission card(s). Thegame is ongoing, with players achieving higher and higher ranks as theyare awarded promotion points.

The present invention is a game that simulates an ongoing advancement ofthe players based on points earned by obtaining trading cards,completing games, activities, and missions. The present game may beplayed individually or with others, and can be administered on paper,with an electronic device, or over the Internet with a computer-basedsystem. The present invention does not require each trading card to havea unique indicia number, making the printing and distribution of suchcards relatively easy. Other features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following more detaileddescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, whichillustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example set of skill card type tradingcards of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example set of mission card type tradingcards of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a computer system of one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an electronic device of an alternate embodimentof the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a workbook of another alternate embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. Thefollowing explanation provides specific details for a thoroughunderstanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. Oneskilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practicedwithout such details. In other instances, well-known structures andfunctions have not been shown or described in detail to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or pluralnumber also include the plural or singular number respectively.Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similarimport, when used in this application, shall refer to this applicationas a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Whenthe claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or moreitems, that word covers all of the following interpretations of theword: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and anycombination of the items in the list.

A game 10 is disclosed for at least one player 15. The game 10 includesa set of trading cards, such as skill cards 20 (FIG. 1), each of whichrepresent a particular skill 21, such as a military skill 21, and eachof which are worth a predetermined number of promotion points 44. Theskill cards 20 may be physical cards printed on paper, for example, andsold in stores or traded among players 15. Virtual skill cards 20 mayalso be purchased on-line over the Internet, for example, provided theinformation on each style of card 20, virtual or real, is thesubstantially similar.

The game 10 may further include, as a subset of the trading cards,mission cards 30 (FIG. 2), each representing a particular mission 31,such as a military mission 31, capable of being completed to varyingdegrees based on each player's set of skill cards 20. The mission cards30 may be physical cards printed on paper, for example, and sold instores or traded amongst players 15. Virtual mission cards 30 may alsobe purchased on-line over the Internet, for example, provided theinformation on each style of card 30, virtual or real, is thesubstantially similar.

The game 10 further includes an administration means 40 (FIGS. 3-5) thatis capable of the following:

-   -   a) maintaining a registry 41 of trading cards 20 obtained by        each player 15;    -   b) maintaining a tally 42 of earned promotion points 44 of each        player 15;    -   c) administering at least one activity 60 to each player 15,        each completed activity 60 resulting in a player score worth a        predetermined number of promotion points 44;    -   d) adding each player's promotion points 44 earned by completing        a game 50 or an activity 60 to the player's tally 42 of earned        promotion points 44; and    -   e) determining a rank 43 of each player 15 based on the tally 42        of earned promotion points 44 of the player.

A subset of the activities 60 may include at least one game 50administered to each player 15 by the administration means 40, eachcompleted game 50 resulting in a player score worth a predeterminednumber of promotion points 44.

The game 10 may include embodiments (not shown) wherein the tradingcards include a set of weapons or equipment cards, characters orpersonality cards, and the like, all of which contribute to theefficiency or easy by which a player 15 in possession of such cards isable to earn promotion points 44.

In one multi-player activity 60, a mission card 30 may be selected, andeach player 15 selects one of his skill cards 20 most appropriate forcompleting the mission 31 on the mission card 30. The player 15 havingthe skill card 20 that best completes the mission 31 wins. The players15 may decide before playing such an activity 60 if the winning player15 is entitled to keep each other player's non-winning skill card(s) 20and the played mission card(s) 30.

Ranks 43 may follow military themes as well, such as, for example, theUS Marine Corps Ranks 43 from Private First Class through Commandant ofthe Marine Corps; or the US Navy Ranks 43 from Seaman Recruit throughFleet Admiral; or the US Army Ranks 43 from Private Recruit throughGeneral; or the US Air Force Ranks 43 from Airman Basic through General.

Such a game 50 may include, for example, scoring each player'sperformance in a simulated battlefield situation; negotiating a maze inorder to rescue an injured soldier; target shooting with a simulatedweapon; flight or sailing simulations; tank or armored vehiclesimulations; small unit battlefield tactics; “Eye-Spy” type camouflageditem search-type games; capture-the-flag type games; virtual orreal-life obstacle course races; cryptography decoding games; parachutesteering games; and the like.

Other such activities 60 may include simulating a military career path,for example, by making choices about a chosen military skill or job,military or civilian schooling or training, services assignmentsincluding location, type or position, or the like. Another activity 60may be learning about a military subject such as: infantry strategy andtactics; battlefield medical issues; human resource issues; surveillanceissues; interrogation practices; food services and supply lines;anti-aircraft measures; navigation over land, sea and by air; aviationincluding both fixed and rotary wind aircraft; logistics includingrepair, supply lines, transportation; chaplain duties; cryptography andsecret codes; submarine maintenance; or the like. The player 15 thentakes a scored quiz on the subject. The player's score is then relatedto a predetermined number of promotion points 44 awarded to the player15. Other such activities 60, virtual or real-life, may include, forexample: live “chat enabled” radio transmissions, over the Internet orcitizens band radio; learning marching and running songs; physicalfitness training; getting “chewed-out” by a drill sergeant; getting ahair cut at basic training; and the like.

The administration means 40 may additionally award patches, awards,badges, or medals in accordance to the player's skills or activitiescompleted. For example, such awards may be bestowed for any of thefollowing: parachutist or parachute operations, first aid or medicalskills, orienteering, map reading, weapons marksmanship or skill,command of a unit, construction, ship, submarine or other navaloperations, navigation, firefighting, special or unconventional warfarewere combat, surveillance, combat action, rappelling, aircraft slingloading or cargo rigging and other aircraft mobility or attackoperations, aircraft landing zone operations, underwater diving, ondisposal, aircraft pilot, amount of time served, physical fitness,recruiting, special or ordinary unit designations, courage, bravery,loyalty, integrity, injuries or wounds, service overseas, and the like.Such skills or activities may be honored upon completion by theadministration means 40 as the administration means 40 receivesinformation about a player's newly obtained skills cards 20 or completedmissions 31 on mission cards 30.

In one embodiment of the invention, the administration means 40 includesan internet-based computer system 100 that comprises at least a webserver 110, a database 120, and a control program 130 capable ofassociating each player 15 with a record 140 in the database 120 (FIG.3). Each player's record 140 in the database 120 includes at least theplayer's tally 42 of earned promotion points 44, registry 41 of skillcards 20 obtained by the player 15, and rank 43.

In another embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 4, theadministration means 40 includes an electronic-based device 150comprising a user interface 160, a database 170, and a control program180 capable of associating each player 15 with a record 140 in thedatabase 170. Each player's record 140 in the database 170 includes atleast the player's tally 42 of earned promotion points 44, the registry41 of obtained skill cards 20, and rank 43.

In such an embodiment, one of the games 50 or activities 60 includes thecontrol program 180 actuating a sound means 190, which includes at leasta microphone 191 and a speaker 192. The microphone 191 records, and thecontrol program 180 analyzes, each player's pronunciation of at leastone of a set of prerecorded utterances as played through the speaker192, such as military-related words or exclamations such as “Hooah,” forexample. The control program 180 then determines how closely eachpronunciation matches the utterance and assigns a promotion point scorerelated thereto.

In another embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 5, theadministration means 40 includes a workbook 200 that includes at leastone player registry page 210 for receiving the player's name or desiredcall-sign 220, the tally 42 of earned promotion points 44, the registry41 of obtained skill cards, and rank 43. In such an embodiment, theworkbook 200 further includes a plurality of game pages 230 each foradministering one of the games 50, and a plurality of activity pages 240each for administering one of the activities 60. Such pages 230,240 maybe played in order as printed in the workbook 200, for example, or in arandom fashion. The pages 230,240 may be printed in a plurality ofdifferent orders for multiple such workbooks 200, such that each player15 with such a workbook 200 may play the pages 230,240 in a different,apparently random order. As such, each player 15's experience in thegame 10 may differ from that of other players 15. Such a workbook 200may be printed on paper, for example.

In use, the skill cards 20 are distributed to a plurality of players 15,each player 15 receiving at least one thereof. Such distribution mayoccur by selling the cards 20, or partial sets of the cards 20, inretail outlets, for example. Players 15 may also obtain skill cards 20by trading with other players 15. The administration means 40, inwhatever embodiment is used, receives information about each player 15,such as their name 220, and their list of obtained skill cards 20. Apredetermined number of promotion points 44 is awarded to each player 15for each skill card 20 obtained thereby, and the associated rank 43 ofthe player 15 is determined based on the tally 42 of the promotionpoints 44 of each player 15. As a player 15 adds skill cards 20 to hiscollection, such as through purchase or trading with other players 15,for example, the administration means 40 is used to maintain theregistry 41 of all obtained skill cards 20.

Periodically, the administration means 40 may offer one of the games 50to each player 15 and award promotion points 44 to each player 15 basedon the player's performance of each game 50. Likewise, theadministration means 40 may offer one of the activities 60 to eachplayer 15 and award promotion points 44 to each player 15 based on theplayer's performance of each activity 60.

The administration means 40 awards promotion points 44 to each player 15in accordance to the player's set of obtained skill cards 20, completedgames 50, games 50 won by the player 15, completed activities 60, andplaying time (such as a certain number of promotion points 44 for everymonth of play). In embodiments of the invention that include the missioncards 30, the administration means 40 may further award promotion points44 to each player 15 for completing, to varying degrees, each mission 31thereon. Such mission cards 30 are distributed to each player 15 byselling the cards 30, or partial sets of the cards 30, in retailoutlets, for example. Players 15 may also obtain mission cards 30 bytrading with other players 15.

In one embodiment including the mission cards 30, a group of players 15combine and then randomly select one of their mission cards 30. Eachplayer 15 selects one of their obtained skill cards 20 as judged mostappropriate for successfully completing the mission 31 on the selectedmission card 30. Each player 15 in the group is then awarded apredetermined number of promotion points 44 assigned to the degree towhich the skill 21 of the player's selected skill card 20 is determinedto complete the mission 31, as predetermined and printed on each missioncard 30, for example. In one embodiment, a player 15 having reached apredetermined rank 43 may make an exclusivity claim to a particularcategory of skill cards 20. For example, a player 15 may claims “I ownthe infantry” and as such prevent any more skill cards 20 havinginfantry skills 21 from being played.

The administration means 40 may then be used to increment each player'spromotion point tally 42 accordingly. In embodiments wherein theadministration means includes the computer system 100, each player 15submits his selected most appropriate skill card 20 to the computersystem 100 which then awards the promotion points 44, updates eachplayer's database record 140 accordingly, and informs the players 15 inthe group of their resulting promotion points scores.

The game 10 is ongoing, with players 15 achieving higher and higherranks 43 as they are awarded promotion points 44. A player 15 with arelatively high rank 43 may be afforded certain privileges by theadministration means 40, such as having the option to play certain games50 or perform certain activities 60 before other players 15 of lowerrank 43.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be apparent that various modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, instead of military-themed skill cards 20 and mission cards 30,politically-themed skill cards 20 and mission cards 30 may be used, withranks 43 ranging from school board member up through President of theUnited States, for example. Accordingly, it is not intended that theinvention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

The teachings provided herein can be applied to other systems, notnecessarily the system described herein. The elements and acts of thevarious embodiments described above can be combined to provide furtherembodiments. All of the above patents and applications and otherreferences, including any that may be listed in accompanying filingpapers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the inventioncan be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, andconcepts of the various references described above to provide yetfurther embodiments of the invention.

These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of theabove Detailed Description. While the above description details certainembodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated,no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can bepracticed in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably inits implementation details, while still being encompassed by theinvention disclosed herein.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspectsof the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology isassociated. In general, the terms used in the following claims shouldnot be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodimentsdisclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Descriptionsection explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope ofthe invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but alsoall equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.

The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the preciseform disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned inthis disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, theinvention are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention,as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachingsof the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, notnecessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of thevarious embodiments described above can be combined to provide furtherembodiments.

All of the above patents and applications and other references,including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, areincorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can bemodified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and conceptsof the various references described above to provide yet furtherembodiments of the invention.

Changes can be made to the invention in light of the above “DetailedDescription.” While the above description details certain embodiments ofthe invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter howdetailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced inmany ways. Therefore, implementation details may vary considerably whilestill being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As notedabove, particular terminology used when describing certain features oraspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that theterminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specificcharacteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which thatterminology is associated.

In general, the terms used in the following claims should not beconstrued to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosedin the specification, unless the above Detailed Description sectionexplicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of theinvention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also allequivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under theclaims.

While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certainclaim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of theinvention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventorreserves the right to add additional claims after filing the applicationto pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of theinvention.

1. A game for at least one player, comprising: a set of trading cards,each trading card worth a predetermined number of promotion points; anadministration means capable of a) maintaining a registry of tradingcards obtained by each player, b) maintaining a tally of earnedpromotion points of each player, c) administering at least one activityto each player, each completed activity resulting in a player scoreworth a predetermined number of promotion points, d) adding eachplayer's promotion points earned by completing activities to theplayer's tally of earned promotion points; e) determining a rank of eachplayer based on the tally of earned promotion points of the player;whereby each player collects trading cards and completes activities toearn promotion points and increase in rank.
 2. The game of claim 1wherein a subset of the trading cards are skill cards, each representinga particular skill, and wherein some of the activities administered bythe administration means result in additional promotion points if theplayer has one or more particular skill cards.
 3. The game of claim 1wherein a subset of the activities administered by the administrationmeans are games for one or more players, each completed game resultingin a player score worth a predetermined number of promotion pointsawarded to the player by the administration means.
 4. The game of claim1 wherein a subset of the trading cards are mission cards, eachrepresenting a particular mission capable of being completed to varyingdegrees, each degree of completeness worth a predetermined number ofpromotion points awarded to the player by the administration means. 5.The game of claim 2 wherein each skill card represents a type ofmilitary skill.
 6. The game of claim 4 wherein each mission cardrepresents a type of military mission.
 7. The game of claim 1 whereinthe administration means includes an internet-based computer systemcomprising at least a web server, a database means, and a controlprogram capable of associating each player with a record in thedatabase, each player's record in the database including at least theplayer's tally of earned promotion points, obtained trading cards, andrank.
 8. The game of claim 1 wherein the administration means includesan electronic-based device comprising a user interface, a databasemeans, and a control program capable of associating each player with arecord in the database means, each player's record in the databaseincluding at least the player's tally of earned promotion points,obtained trading cards, and rank.
 9. The game of claim 1 wherein theadministration means includes a workbook that includes at least oneplayer registry page for receiving the player's name, a tally of earnedpromotion points, a registry of obtained trading cards, and rank, andwherein the workbook further includes a plurality of activity pages eachfor administering one of the activities.
 10. The game of claim 7 whereinat least one of the activities includes a sound means for recording andanalyzing each player's pronunciation of at least one of a set ofprerecorded utterances, and determining how closely each pronunciationmatches the utterance, the administration means capable of assigning apromotional point score related thereto.
 11. The game of claim 8 whereinat least one of the activities includes a sound means for recording andanalyzing each player's pronunciation of at least one of a set ofprerecorded utterances, and determining how closely each pronunciationmatches the utterance, the administration means capable of assigning apromotional point score related thereto.
 12. The game of claim 1 whereinat least one of the activities includes scoring each player'sperformance in a simulated battlefield situation.
 13. The game of claim1 wherein at least one of the activities includes simulating a militarycareer path.
 14. The game of claim 1 wherein at least one of theactivities includes learning about a military subject and then taking aquiz on the military subject, each player's score on the quiz related toa predetermined number of promotion points.
 15. A method ofadministering a game, comprising the steps: providing a game comprisinga set of trading cards, each trading card worth a predetermined numberof promotion points; an administration means capable of a) maintaining aregistry of trading cards obtained by each player, b) maintaining atally of earned promotion points of each player, c) administering atleast one activity to each player, each completed activity resulting ina player score worth a predetermined number of promotion points, d)adding each player's promotion points earned by completing activities tothe player's tally of earned promotion points; e) determining a rank ofeach player based on the tally of earned promotion points of the player;the administration means including an internet-based computer systemcomprising at least a web server, a database means, and a controlprogram capable of associating each player with a record in thedatabase, each player's record in the database including at least theplayer's tally of earned promotion points, obtained trading cards, andrank; a subset of the trading cards being skill cards, each representinga particular skill; distributing the set of skill cards to a pluralityof players, each player receiving at least one of the skill cards;receiving electronic information relating to the at least one skill cardof at least one of the players; determining a number of promotion pointsawarded to each player for each skill card obtained by each player;determining a rank of each player based on the tally of promotion pointsof each player; maintaining the registry of skill cards obtained by eachplayer; offering to administer at least one activity to each player andawarding points to each player based on each player's performance ofeach activity; and displaying each player's rank.
 16. The method ofadministering a game of claim 15 wherein at least one of the activitiesis a game activity, and each player is awarded points based on theplayer's final score in the game activity.
 17. The method ofadministering a game of claim 15 wherein the provided game furtherincludes a subset of the trading cards being mission cards, eachrepresenting a particular mission capable of being completed to varyingdegrees based on a player's set of skill cards, the game furtherincluding the step of selecting a mission card from amongst a pluralityof the players; each player selecting one of his skill cards mostappropriate for completed the mission on the selected mission card;designating the player having the skill card that best completes themission as the winner; and awarding each player an award based on theplayer's set of obtained skill cards, completed missions, activitiescompleted, and playing time.
 18. The method of administering a game ofclaim 17 further including the steps of: distributing the set of missioncards to a plurality of players; instructing at least one player to forma group with other players; instructing the players in the group tocombine and then randomly select one of their mission cards; instructingthe players to each select one of their obtained skills cards as judgedmost appropriate for successfully completing the mission on the selectedmission card; and designating the player having the skill card that bestcompletes the selected mission as the winner.
 19. The method ofadministering a game of claim 18 further including the final step of thewinning player keeping the selected mission card and the selected skillscards of the other players.
 20. The method of administering a game ofclaim 19 further including the final step of the winning player beingawarded promotion points based on the kept mission card and skill cards.